China-Pakistan eco accords KCCI hails reaffirmation of pledge to deepen strategic ties
Source : Daily Times Date : May 28, 2013
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KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) congratulated the Premier of the People’s Republic of China Li Keqiang and President Asif Ali Zardari for reaffirmation of the pledge to deepen strategic ties irrespective of international situation and further strengthen ‘all weather friendship’ and ‘all-dimensional cooperation’.
He lauded the Pak-China government for signing 12 agreements/MoUs focusing on further constructing vibrant economic and trade relations and building economic corridor.
Haroon Agar President KCCI said handing over Gwader Port to China was a welcoming move and a greater promise for creation of regional economic and trade corridor.
Pakistan need China’s help in full utilisation of Port by developing network of roads and railway link from Gwader port to all upcountry destinations and beyond to Central Asian Republics via China.
He appreciated that both governments have decided to push forward negotiations of Pak-China Free Trade Agreement to multiply the volume of trade.
KCCI hoped current China-Pakistan bilateral trade volume of $12.4 billion will to $15 billion during next few years. To start work on Pakistan Agriculture Demonstration Zone, formation of Young Entrepreneurs Forum and annual Pak China Trade and Investment Forums in Beijing and Islamabad are landmark decisions. China-Pakistan priority projects in connectivity and power generation are also need of the time.
He appreciated reciprocal trade between Pakistan and China in 2011 was $10.6 billion, which increased by 17.6 percent to a total volume of $12.4 billion in 2012 first time in the history of Pakistan.
The imports were increased by 9.9 percent to a volume of $9.2 billion while the exports enhanced by 48.2 percent to a volume of $3.14 billion.
Chinese companies’ business in Pakistan involves in the fields of infrastructure construction, manufacturing, energy, mining, telecommunication, finance, agriculture etc.
He anticipated this cooperation would grow further with the passage of time. He commended the efforts of Ambassador of Pakistan in Beijing Masood Khan and Ambassador of China in Islamabad Liu Jian for their enterprise to promote bilateral trade and relationship between two countries.
Source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2013\05\24\story_24-5-2013_pg5_11